Arkansas roads director pledges improved response

The Dec. 5-6 storm brought freezing rain, sleet and snow to much of the state. Schools and businesses were closed for days in many areas because of icy roads.

Associated Press

Arkansas' response to wintry weather earlier this month that shut down roads and highways throughout the state was unacceptable, the head of the state's highway department said Wednesday.

"We did not achieve desirable or even acceptable results in some areas as our crews worked to clear highways during the recent winter storm," said Scott Bennett, director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. "We are aware of and frustrated by the unsatisfactory conditions that persisted too long in some areas."

The Dec. 5-6 storm brought freezing rain, sleet and snow to much of the state. Schools and businesses were closed for days in many areas because of icy roads.

Bennett said the poor road conditions weren't caused by a lack of effort by highway workers.

"While it is fair to criticize the results that we obtained, it is not fair to criticize the effort put forth by our employees," he said. "Our crews worked around-the-clock fighting this storm, even during time when they would normally have been home with their families."

The state recently invested in the new equipment and adopted new methods — including the use of beet juice as a salt additive to pre-treat roads and bridges. A new tow plow, which will allow workers to clear multiple lanes at once, is expected to be operational early next year for Interstates 40 and 540, Bennett said.

"We are a southern state — we will never have the amount of dedicated snow and ice fighting equipment as our neighbors to the north — but we must make sure we utilize the resources we do have available," Bennett said.